Condom Study Submitted to Doctrinal Congregation

Includes Scientific Data and Pastoral Positions

November 21, 2006
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VATICAN CITY, NOV. 21, 2006 (Zenit.org).- At the request of Benedict XVI, a dossier on the question of condoms was submitted by Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The cardinal, who is president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Ministry, revealed this today during a press conference to present the council's upcoming conference on "Pastoral Aspects of the Treatment of Infectious Diseases."

The question is now in the hands of the doctrinal congregation, Cardinal Lozano explained, "because our pontifical council does not have doctrinal but pastoral tasks."

"Thus, in keeping with the Holy Father's wish, we have carried out a careful study on the use of condoms, both from the scientific as well as the moral point of view, and we have submitted it to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," the cardinal said.

Mentioning Pope John Paul II's postsynodal apostolic exhortation "Familiaris Consortio," Cardinal Lozano clarified that no position of the Church on the matter should lead to thinking that it can encourage frivolous conduct in the matter of sexual morality.

The cardinal revealed that the dossier gives objective data on the use of condoms, as well as a range of pastoral positions adopted in the world.

He noted that it is not up to the Council for Health Care Ministry to decide whether it is necessary to make a pronouncement or to respond to this question.

The prelate added that the matter remains in the hands of the "special wisdom" of Benedict XVI and his charism as Successor of Peter, assisted by the Holy Spirit.